‘Communities of interest’ at forefront of redistricting talks

Three options were moved forward to be tweaked, including map 21. Graphic courtesy of Devan Reiff.

The Oakland City Council tackled the thorny issue of redistricting Tuesday night, hearing from communities of interest about balancing the goals of equalizing numbers of people in each council district, while preserving the integrity of the city’s historic neighborhoods.

Community members repeatedly spoke before the council to ask them not to divide their neighborhoods. Adam’s Point, Maxwell Park, Trestle Glen, the San Antonio community and the Jack London District were all represented at the meeting.

Councilmembers also spoke on behalf of their districts, but the options— 22 maps in all— were overwhelming.

Councilmember Desley Brooks, who represents District 6, motioned to eliminate the majority of the maps. The motion passed, but Brooks later rescinded the motion, technically putting all the maps back on the table.